Officials: Body Found in Potomac is Woman Missing from Great Falls

The United States Park Police says a body recovered Friday in the Potomac River is that of a woman who went missing three weeks ago in Great Falls.

Becky McCleskey, 56, was reported missing Feb. 6. Her vehicle was found in the parking lot at Great Falls National Park. An extensive air, land and water search was conducted by the United States Park Police and the Montgomery County fire and police departments.

The body was discovered at about 5:50 p.m. Friday in the water near Old Angler’s Inn in Potomac, Maryland.

ARLnow reports McCleskey lived in Arlington and had a high school-aged son.

This was my sister. We were estranged and had not seen each other in over 15 years. I wanted to thank the people of the area, and I wanted to thank the news organizations of the area, all of whom treated this news with great respect and with great dignity. Becky, I am sure, would be pleased and satisfied with the way that her news stories and her passing have been covered.
Our brother Richard is disabled and it is just he and I only left of our family. Our mother Shirley committed suicide in 1963.
My father’s brother Stanley committed suicide with his wife in the 70’s.
Our father was ill most of his life with bipolar disease and frequent bipolar/manic psychosis.
I’ve struggled all my life with depression and as a childhood abuse victim with long-standing feelings of inferiority and worthlessness.
I’d like to take this opportunity to warn and to plead with you all and your community to be wary of depression in all it’s forms and mention that you’re not going to cause a social catastrophe by asking how someone feels and validating an honest response. If that response is they feel down or depressed please speak to a family member or someone they trust.
I am beginning to ramble, but I wanted to thank the community and all again for their solicitous treatment of my sister, and ask all to be vigilant and not afraid of mental illness because only as a community may we save the souls lost within themselves.
Thank you,
Marc Bauder

pawPT

Hi Marc,
Thanks for your passionate post about your sister. I knew Becky for over 25 years and all of us who knew her are quite heartbroken over her passing. That said, her recent Memorial service was beautiful, with many folks acknowledging her amazing spirit, work within the church community, active volunteerism, as well as her recent struggles. Many friends spent hours walking with your sister, and your sister spent hours in mindfulness, support meetings and explored both traditional and holistic ways to cope with her depression. I feel very blessed having known her and will keep the light shining for those struggling with mental health issues. My condolences. Pam